Portable burglar-alarm



W. H. REIFP. Portable Burglar-Alarm.

No. 225,641. Patented Mar. 16, 1880.

h'f W N, PETERS. PHOTO-UTHDGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. REIFF, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

PORTABLE BU RGLAR-ALARM.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 225,641, dated March 16, 1880.

Application filed February 9, 1880.

To all whom it may concern:

'Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. REIFF, of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Portable Burglar-Alarms, of which the followingis a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in portable burglar-alarms; and the invention consists of a short barrel or cylinder of metal, within which is placed a piston attached to a rod that projects through a screw-cap at one end of the cylinder, and surrounding which rod is a spiral spring, which throws the piston forward after being contracted by the drawing out of the piston-rod. The spring is retained in its contracted position as the piston-rod is drawn out by means of a springcatch attached to the outside of the barrel and engaging with a notch in the said rod. The spring-catch is detached from the piston-rod by means of a hook attached to a cord, by which the device is suspended from a doorframe, so that when the door is opened or moved even slightly the device will drop to the extent of the length of the cord, thus releasing the piston-rod from the catch, when the piston is forced against a percussion-cap or cartridge placed in the opposite end of the barrel,thus causing an explosion and creating an alarm.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a representation of my device attached to a door-frame and in position ready for use. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the device.

to represents a cylinder or barrel of metal, of any desired size or caliber. b is a piston fitted to slide easily in the barrel a. and is attached to the rod d, that projects through the screw-cap r on one end of the barrel a.

Surrounding the rod (1 is a spiral spring, 6, which bears against the piston b and the screw-cap r, and serves to throw the piston forcibly forward after being contracted by the drawing out of rod d. The rod d is held in its drawn out position, as shown, by means of a spring-catch, g, which is attached to the outside of the barrel (1, and, extending over the screw-cap r, engages in a notch or groove on the rod d, as shown at p.

The rod 61 is released from its drawn-out position by simply detaching the spring-catch g, which is efi'ected by means of a hook, h, one end of which is placed under the spring-catch g, and is attached to a cord, 1', which passes up through the ring f on the end of rod 11, over a peg, k, which is inserted in the opening between the top of the doorA and the frame B, and thence to a hook, I, screwed into the door-frame, as shown in Fig. 1.

The cap or cartridge is inserted in the barrel a at the opening m. The outer end or muzzle, s, is made of a less diameter than the main portion of the barrel, so as to afford a bearing for the cap or cartridge.

The cartridge is caused to explode by means of a pin or projection, c, on the piston b, which punctures the rim containing the full'ninate.

The device maybe used as a pistol by attach ing a handle, a, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, and arranging a trigger to release the spring-catch J.

When in use, the device is set with the rod d drawn out and held by the spring-catch g, as shown. The releasing-hook his. then inserted under the spring-catch g. To the opposite end of hook it is attached the cord 1', which passes up through the ring f, by means of which the device is held in a perpendicular position. The cordi is then passed over a peg, is, inserted in the crevice between the door and the frame ,B, and fastened to a hook or other projection, Z, in the frame, as shown in Fig. 1. Upon the slightest opening of the door A the cord twill be released from the peg 7c, and as the device drops to the full length of the cord 'the hook or trigger it will release the spring 9 from the rod 61, and the piston I will be caused to explode a cartridge with which it comes in contact in the barrel.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to seen re by Letters Patent, is

A portable burglar-alarm consisting of a cylinder or barrel, a, provided with an opening, m, for the insertion of a cartridge, a piston, I), and rod d, actuated by a spring, 0, in combination with a spring-catch, g, a releasing-hook, h, and cord i, by which the device is suspended from a door-frame, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM H. REIFF.

\Vitnesses:

J os. H. ADAMS, ANDREW McGRATH. 

